Received: March 27, 2006.

Accepted: July 24, 2006.

Abstract published online: August 2, 2006.

Full paper published online: February 28, 2007.

SCORPION ENVENOMATION SYMPTOMS IN PREGNANT WOMEN

BEN NASR H. (1), HAMMAMI T. S.(2), SAHNOUN Z. (2), REBAI T. (3), BOUAZIZ M. (4), KASSIS M. (5), ZEGHAL K. M. (2)

(1) Department of Biology, Bizerte Faculty of Sciences, University of 7th November at Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia; (2) Laboratory of Pharmacology, Sfax Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia; (3) Laboratory of Embryology and Histology, Sfax Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia; (4) Reanimation Service, Habib Bourguiba Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia; (5) Community Medicine and Epidemiological Service, Hédi Chaker Hopital, Sfax, Tunisia.

ABSTRACT: Scorpion envenomation is common in many countries; however, its effects on pregnancy are still unclear. In the present paper, we described the effects of scorpion envenomation on pregnant patients. A retrospective study was carried out considering the clinical and laboratory exams of patients admitted to the emergency room of Habib Bourguiba Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia, from 1990 to 2004. Variability of these clinical and laboratory profiles according to maternal age, gestational age and number of previous parities was also discussed. Among 167 scorpion-envenomed women, age ranged from 17 to 42 years, 7.18% were pregnant. These presented symptoms similar to those of non-pregnant women envenomed by scorpions. Two pregnant patients developed intense pelvic pain and one manifested vaginal bleeding. Although the studied parameters showed non-significant differences, we could conclude that scorpion envenomation may lead to abnormal uterine contraction probably causing preterm delivery. Maternal disturbances induced by scorpion envenomation may influence the fetus development. The effects were more severe in the second trimester of pregnancy.

KEY WORDS: pregnant women, scorpion envenomations, signs and symptoms, laboratory data.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

BEN NASR HMED, Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Faculté de Médecine de Sfax, Université de Sfax; Rue Magida Boulila, 3029, Sfax, Tunisia. Phone: 216 7424 7036. Fax: 217 7424 6217. Email: hamdoscie@voila.fr.